Community Insights: Career Practitioner Well-Being

Career professionals dedicate a great deal of energy to supporting others through change, uncertainty, and important career decisions. But sustaining that work also means paying attention to our own well-being.

For our latest CPC Community Insights, we asked members to share how they protect their energy, maintain boundaries, and care for themselves while supporting others. Their responses offer practical reminders about what it takes to build a sustainable career in a helping profession.

What is one habit or practice that helps you protect your energy and stay well while supporting others?

Eman Ismail-Elmasri shared:

“Stepping away from my desk for a walk or listening to music helps me reset. It gives me space to clear my mind and come back to my clients with more energy and focus.”

Michelle Schafer makes movement an intentional part of her day:

“I start the day with movement (either a run or strength class), then take smaller movement breaks throughout the day. I’ll end the day with a calming walk in my local forest or a bike ride.”

Britt-Mari Sykes focuses on maintaining a strong sense of self beyond her professional work:

“I remind myself that I am always ‘more than’ the work I am dedicated to. I regularly engage in my many other interests, exercise, get enough sleep, eat well and spend quality time with my spouse and friends.”

What boundary has made the biggest difference in your ability to do this work sustainably?

For Eman, an important boundary is recognizing where her responsibility ends:

“Reminding myself that I can guide and support my clients, but I can’t carry every challenge for them. That boundary helps me stay present without taking on more than I should.”

Michelle builds space directly into her schedule:

“I leave 30 minutes between meetings. This gives me time to do any follow-up activities, then get outside and move before my next meeting. I find that I’m much more refreshed and able to focus on the next person.”

For Britt-Mari, protecting her working hours has become increasingly important:

“Setting very strict working hours and not making exceptions. When I set a limit on my working hours, I am more focused, present and energized when working with each client.”

Which aspect of career practitioner well-being deserves more attention in our profession?

The emotional demands of career development work stood out strongly in the responses.

Eman said:

“The emotional side of this work deserves more attention. We often support people through stress, uncertainty, and major life changes, and that can affect us too. Making space to talk about that and support each other is important.”

Britt-Mari highlighted another concern:

“Burnout, especially for sole practitioners who may experience professional isolation and may not recognize the signs of burnout or feel comfortable reaching out for support.”

Together, these perspectives remind us that career practitioner well-being is not separate from professional practice. Protecting our energy, maintaining boundaries, and recognizing the emotional demands of our work can help us remain present and effective for the people we serve.

What Do You Think?

How do you protect your own well-being while supporting others? What practices or boundaries have made your work more sustainable? Add your thoughts in the comments. Your perspective may help another career professional find a strategy that works for them.

Thank you to Michelle Schafer, Eman Ismail-Elmasri, and Britt-Mari Sykes for sharing their experiences and insights with our community.

Want to Be Featured and Share Your Insights?

Our next Community Insights questions are now open, and we would love to hear from you. This month, we’re exploring the topic of Building Client Trust. Share your perspective, and you may be featured in an upcoming CPC Community Insights article.